What happened to all the tube amps?

Tvad, you hit the proverbial nail on the proverbial head.

About 6 years ago, I purchased an used Jolida 502a for $400 in the local paper. Today, it's about double that used!!!! I think tube amps are more popular today than 10 years ago, personally. I think people have discovered the benefits that tubes offer, and they like what they hear. I just think they tend to keep them longer, for the most part. But, what do I know...it's just an assumption

" Just focusing on sound quality alone, no way is the premium justified compared to the sound one can get from a darTZeel or CAT's best amps (or Atma-Sphere's best amps, etc.) in the right system"

and what makes you so sure about that?

I would certainly put my Lamm ML 2.1's up against your aforementioned amps and test your comments

OBGYN: I am not certain what your point is, but if you are saying that your amps stack up against the amps I mentioned, we are in complete agreement -- your amps are superb. And that is my point -- anything more would be, in my opinion, grossly excessive given how good these amps are and given the other things that much money could be used for. Will the new, trillion dollar Lamm sound better? Sure. Of course it will. I am saying, however, that the $100k price differential is unjustifiable.

Raquel

we do agree.

I have owned many (and I mean MANY) high end amps over the past 34 years but never one IMO as good as the ML 2.1. As much as I want to hear the ML 3 I have no intention on switching...too many other things I need more